US4371233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens-applied optical fiber connector
Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
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Filing: 1980-06-25
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Granted: 1983-02-01
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Expires: 2000-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A lens-applied optical fiber connector is used to connect optical fibers for optical communication. The lens-applied optical fiber connector is structured so that the optical fiber connectors are inserted into a lens-applied sleeve and the sleeve is inserted into an adapter. In the present invention, the focal length of the lens is selected to be 0.09 to 0.27 mm and the lens is positioned at the point on the optical axis of the optical fiber apart from the end surface of the fiber as far as the focal length.
Inventors
- 👤 Sigefumi Masuda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3835; G02B6/3837; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; G02B6/327; G02B6/381; G02B6/3825; G02B6/3854; G02B6/389; G02B6/3894
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: first and second cylindrical sleeves, each having a hole along its central axis through which the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are inserted; a hollow cylindrical adapter having a through hole through which said fist and second cylindrical sleeves are inserted from opposie sides; first and second lenses arranged between the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves so as to be placed face to face in the through hole of said hollow cylindrical adapter, the first and second optical fibers optically connected via said first and second lenses; first and second lens holders having first and second apertures for holding said first and second lenses respectively, said first and second lens holders thicker than said first and second lenses, said first and second lens holders connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, said first and second lens holders having first and second maximum outer diameters which are less than the outer diameters of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, respectively; and first and second guard means for protecting said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means thicker than said first and second lens holders, said first and second guard means connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, said first and second guard means having first and second apertures which have first and second minimum diameters greater than the first and second maximum outer diameters of said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means havng first and second maximum outer diameters which are less than or equal to the outer diameters of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: first and second cylindrical sleeves, each having a hole along its central axis through which the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are inserted; a hollow cylindrical adapter having a through hole through which said fist and second cylindrical sleeves are inserted from opposie sides; first and second lenses arranged between the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves so as to be placed face to face in the through hole of said hollow cylindrical adapter, the first and second optical fibers optically connected via said first and second lenses; first and second lens holders having first and second apertures for holding said first and second lenses respectively, said first and second lens holders thicker than said first and second lenses, said first and second lens holders connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, said first and second lens holders having first and second maximum outer diameters which are less than the outer diameters of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, respectively; and first and second guard means for protecting said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means thicker than said first and second lens holders, said first and second guard means connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, said first and second guard means having first and second apertures which have first and second minimum diameters greater than the first and second maximum outer diameters of said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means havng first and second maximum outer diameters which are less than or equal to the outer diameters of said first and second cylindrical sleeves, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second lenses are spherical lenses having a focal length of from 0.09 to 0.27 mm and wherein said first and second lenses are positioned at a point on the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers equal to the focal length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein the end surface of each of the first and second optical fibers is shaped with a gradient angle defined by the angle of Y/f (n.sub.0 -1) where, Y is the axial deflection between the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers and the center line of said hollow cylindrical adapter, f is the focal length of each of said first and second spherical lenses and n 0 is the refraction coefficient of the first and second optical fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second cylindrical sleeves is formed by a sintered material comprising mainly alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising first and second elastic sleeves mounted to said first and second cylindrical sleeves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an air-escape groove formed in said hollow cylindrical adapter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: first and second flush materials partially surrounding said first and second cylindrical sleeves, respectively; and first and second cap nuts for coupling said first and second flush materials, respectively, to said hollow cylindrical adapter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein the clearance between said first cap nut and said first flush material is greater than the clearance between said first cylindrical sleeve and said hollow cylindrical adapter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: a hollow cylindrical adapter; first and second fiber holding means inserted in opposite ends of said hollow cylindrical adapter, each of said first and second fiber holding means comprising: a cylindrical sleeve having a hole along its central axis for receiving one of the first and second optical fibers; a lens holder attached to an end of said cylindrical sleeve, said lens holder having an aperture and having a maximum outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said cylindrical sleeve; a spherical lens held in said lens holder, said lens holder thicker than said spherical lens; and a guard ring mounted on the end of said cylindrical sleeve so as to protect said lens holder, said guard ring having a thickness which is greater than that of said lens holder, said guard ring having an aperture, within which said lens holder is positioned, having a minimum diameter greater than the maximum outer diameter of said lens holder, said guard ring having a maximum outer diameter less than or equal to the outer diameter of said cylindrical sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: a hollow cylindrical adapter; first and second fiber holding means inserted in opposite ends of said hollow cylindrical adapter, each of said first and second fiber holding means comprising: a cylindrical sleeve having a hole along its central axis for receiving one of the first and second optical fibers; a lens holder attached to an end of said cylindrical sleeve, said lens holder having an aperture and having a maximum outer diameter less than the outer diameter of said cylindrical sleeve; a spherical lens held in said lens holder, said lens holder thicker than said spherical lens; and a guard ring mounted on the end of said cylindrical sleeve so as to protect said lens holder, said guard ring having a thickness which is greater than that of said lens holder, said guard ring having an aperture, within which said lens holder is positioned, having a minimum diameter greater than the maximum outer diameter of said lens holder, said guard ring having a maximum outer diameter less than or equal to the outer diameter of said cylindrical sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 9, further comprising first and second flush materials partially surrounding said cylindrical sleeve of said first and second fiber holding means, respectively; and first and second cap nuts for coupling said first and second flush materials, respectively, to said hollow cylindrical adapter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 10, wherein said cylindrical sleeve of each of said first and second fiber holding means is formed by a sintered material comprising primarily alumina.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector as set forth in claim 11, wherein said hollow cylindrical adapter has an air escape groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
301 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: first and second cylindrical sleeves, each having a hole along its central axis through which the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are inserted; a hollow cylindrical adapter having a through hole through which said first and second cylindrical sleeves are inserted from opposite sides; first and second lenses arranged between the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves so as to be placed face to face in the through hole of said hollow cylindrical adapter, the first and second optical fibers optically connected via said first and second lenses, said first and second lenses being spherical lenses having a focal length of from 0.09 to 0.27 mm, said first and second lenses positioned at a point on the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers equal to the focal length, the end surface of each of the first and second optical fibers being shaped with a gradient angle defined by the angle of Y/f (n.sub.0 -1) where, Y is the axial deflection between the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers and the center line of said hollow cylindrical adapter, f is the focal length of each of said first and second spherical lenses and n 0 is the refraction coefficient of the first and second optical fibers; first and second lens holders for holding said first and second lenses, respectively, said first and second lens holders thicker than said first and second lenses; and first and second guard means for protecting said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means thicker than said first and second lens holders, said first and second guard means connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
301 words
A lens-applied optical fiber connector for connecting first and second optical fibers, comprising: first and second cylindrical sleeves, each having a hole along its central axis through which the first and second optical fibers, respectively, are inserted; a hollow cylindrical adapter having a through hole through which said first and second cylindrical sleeves are inserted from opposite sides; first and second lenses arranged between the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves so as to be placed face to face in the through hole of said hollow cylindrical adapter, the first and second optical fibers optically connected via said first and second lenses, said first and second lenses being spherical lenses having a focal length of from 0.09 to 0.27 mm, said first and second lenses positioned at a point on the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers equal to the focal length, the end surface of each of the first and second optical fibers being shaped with a gradient angle defined by the angle of Y/f (n.sub.0 -1) where, Y is the axial deflection between the optical axis of the first and second optical fibers and the center line of said hollow cylindrical adapter, f is the focal length of each of said first and second spherical lenses and n 0 is the refraction coefficient of the first and second optical fibers; first and second lens holders for holding said first and second lenses, respectively, said first and second lens holders thicker than said first and second lenses; and first and second guard means for protecting said first and second lens holders, respectively, said first and second guard means thicker than said first and second lens holders, said first and second guard means connected to the first ends of said first and second cylindrical sleeves.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |